Library coming to a Portland coffee shop near you

PORTLAND — Your favorite books may be as close as your favorite java joint, thanks to a new program from the Public Library.

The Coffeehouse Library Project has stocked two coffee shops and the METRO Pulse bus station on Elm Street with collections of books. All books can be borrowed for free, without requirements for check-outs or fines.

The coffee shops are Crema Coffee Co., 9 Commercial St., and Bard Coffee, 185 Middle St. Books will also soon be available at Mornings in Paris, 13 Exchange St., according to a library press release.

The project is part of the PPL’s “portable library” initiative, launched in 2010. The centerpiece of the initiative in the library’s new bookmobile, which was unveiled earlier this month.